Telegram to deal with tropical depression that is likely to strengthen into a storm

The content of the telegram clearly stated: According to information from the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, many dangerous weather patterns are currently forming that affect our country, specifically: On July 16, 2018, the low pressure area in the southern Gulf of Tonkin strengthened into a tropical depression (TLD), in addition, in the northeastern sea of ​​Luzon Island (Philippines), a TLD appeared, it is forecasted that on the night of July 16, the TLD will enter the northern East Sea, move quickly in a westerly direction and is likely to strengthen into a storm. At the same time, the Northern region and the provinces from Thanh Hoa to Thua Thien Hue will have moderate to heavy rain, which can cause floods, flash floods, and landslides.

Floodwaters overflowed the spillway bridge in Thach Ngan commune, causing partial isolation in Con Cuong in July 2017. Photo courtesy

To proactively respond to dangerous weather conditions, the Provincial Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control and Search and Rescue requests the Chairman and Head of the Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control and Search and Rescue of districts, cities and towns; the Provincial Military Command, the Provincial Border Guard Command, Directors of Departments, Heads of Provincial-level Committees and Branches; Directors of irrigation and hydropower companies in the province and related units to implement the following contents:

1. For marine and coastal areas:

- Regularly update information and notify owners of vehicles and captains of ships and boats operating at sea of ​​the location, direction of movement and developments of natural disasters so that they can proactively avoid, escape or not move into dangerous areas.

- Closely monitor the developments of the tropical depression on the media; closely monitor and manage the departures to sea and maintain regular contact with vessels operating in the affected areas of the tropical depression, including transport vessels, tourist vessels, and aquaculture cages to promptly handle any bad situations that may occur; check and guide the mooring of vessels at the wharf, especially the mooring areas around the islands.

2. For mainland areas:

- Closely monitor the developments of rain and floods; provide timely information and warnings to the authorities and people to proactively prevent and avoid, especially flash floods and landslides in mountainous districts; stockpile food, necessities, clean water, and medicine following the "4 on-site" motto to cope with heavy rain and floods.

- Localities and reservoir owners deploy plans to ensure the safety of dams and downstream areas in case the reservoir has to discharge floodwaters or has an incident.

- Check the safety and operation of works in irrigation systems, proactively drain buffer water in accordance with the situation of each locality, be ready to drain water promptly when there is a flood situation, and have a plan to retain water to serve Summer-Autumn production.

- Check, review, and prepare plans to evacuate people in low-lying areas along rivers, coastal areas, dangerous areas, areas at risk of landslides, deeply flooded areas, isolated areas, and areas at high risk of flash floods and landslides to safe places.

- Be ready to deploy forces to control and guide people and vehicles through culverts, spillways, flooded traffic areas, ferry piers and ferry terminals to ensure safety.

3. Departments, branches and localities, according to their assigned functions and tasks, direct measures to be ready to respond to natural disasters and floods; maintain forces and means ready to respond, rescue and salvage when bad situations occur.

4. Provincial Radio and Television Station, Nghe An Newspaper, Ben Thuy Coastal Information Station and other mass media increase broadcasting time, report on the developments of natural disasters, rain, floods, and the direction of the Provincial People's Committee and the Provincial Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Control to localities so that people know and proactively take precautions.

5. Organize a 24/7 on-duty team and regularly report to the Provincial Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Control./.